Lighting Designer

McFarland Johnson • Full-time • Acton, MA, US • 1m ago

At McFarland Johnson (MJ), you’ll own your future. We're a 100% employee-owned firm with 80 years of experience delivering innovative engineering, planning, environmental, technology and construction solutions that make a lasting impact on the clients and communities we serve.

Certified as a Great Place to Work, our employee-owners describe MJ's culture as collaborative, people-focused, and supportive. Join us, and help shape the future of infrastructure, together.

We're seeking a motivated and creative Architectural Lighting Designer to join our multidisciplinary design team. This position offers an excellent opportunity for an emerging professional to contribute to innovative lighting solutions across a diverse portfolio of projects, including civic, transportation, aviation, commercial, educational, healthcare, and public infrastructure facilities.

The successful candidate will work collaboratively with architects, engineers, planners, and clients to develop lighting concepts and construction documents that enhance the visual environment, support occupant well-being, promote sustainability, and meet project performance objectives.

Why Join Us?

Career Growth: Accelerate your professional career with opportunities to lead, learn, and expand your expertise.
Collaborative Culture: Work alongside multidisciplinary teams that thrive on creativity, support, and teamwork. Collaborative is the most frequent word used to describe MJ’s culture in annual employee survey.
Employee Ownership: As a 100% ESOP, your contributions directly shape our shared success - you own your future.
Innovation & Impact: Work on projects that push boundaries, drive sustainability, and create real-world solutions.
Professional Development: From mentorship, ongoing technical training, and conferences we invest in your growth every step of the way.
Work-Life Balance: Enjoy flexible schedules, generous PTO, and a culture that values balance so you can thrive both professionally and personally.
Shape the next generation: For experienced professionals, MJ offers the chance to mentor emerging talent, share your expertise, and leave a lasting legacy in the industry.

Key Responsibilities

Assist in the development of architectural lighting concepts and design strategies.
Perform lighting calculations and photometric analyses for interior and exterior environments.
Prepare lighting plans, fixture schedules, control system layouts, details, and specifications.
Develop renderings, visualizations, and presentation materials to communicate design intent.
Coordinate lighting designs with architectural, electrical, civil, and structural disciplines.
Conduct field investigations, site surveys, and existing condition assessments.
Support project managers in maintaining schedules, budgets, and deliverable quality.
Research lighting products, controls, technologies, and industry best practices.
Participate in client meetings, design reviews, and stakeholder presentations.
Assist with construction administration services, including submittal reviews, RFIs, and site observations.
Contribute to the development of lighting standards and internal design resources.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Architectural Engineering, Lighting Design, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
1-5 years of professional experience in architectural lighting design, electrical design, architecture, or a related discipline.
Understanding of lighting principles, photometry, color quality, controls, and energy codes.
Strong verbal, written, and graphic communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple tasks and work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
Desire to learn and grow within the architectural lighting design profession.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with transportation, aviation, municipal, healthcare, educational, or commercial projects.
Familiarity with sustainable design practices and energy-efficient lighting systems.
Knowledge of IES standards, ASHRAE requirements, and applicable building and energy codes.
Experience with lighting controls and daylighting strategies.
Certified Lighting Designer (CLD), Lighting Certified (LC), Associate IALD, or progress toward professional certification is a plus.

Core Technical Skills

Architectural lighting design and photometric analysis
Lighting calculations, modeling, and fixture specification
Lighting controls design and coordination
Construction documentation and administration
Technical writing, specifications, and design presentations
Interdisciplinary project coordination
Client communication and stakeholder engagement
Design visualization and problem-solving
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and time management

Required Software

Autodesk Revit
Autodesk AutoCAD
AGi32 (working knowledge)
Bluebeam Revu
Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Preferred Software & Tools

DIALux Evo
ElumTools
Autodesk Navisworks
BIM 360 / Autodesk Construction Cloud
Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator)
Enscape
SketchUp
Rhino & Grasshopper
Lighting control platforms (Lutron, Acuity nLight, ETC, Crestron, or similar)

Benefits & Perks

Compensation: Competitive base pay starting at $32/hour, with additional earning potential through a performance-based incentive and bonus program.
Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision coverage.
Generous Paid Time Off, including Parental Leave.
Company funded ESOP + 401(k) employer match.
Ongoing technical training and professional development opportunities.

Join Us and Make a Difference

Join a team where your work has purpose, your ideas are valued, and your growth is personal. Apply today and become a part of a company where you can #ownyourfuture.

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